Conservatives to outline tax and regulation cuts at conference

Conservative shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith is expected to outline plans to cut taxes and regulation at the party’s conference in Birmingham on Monday. The proposals include changes to housebuilding rules, packaging-waste costs and the bodies responsible for environmental protection. [1]

The Conservatives want to drop environmental and energy-efficiency requirements for new homes, including the future homes standard. The party estimates that its changes could cut the cost of delivering a new home by up to £50,000 and expects buyers could benefit. That figure is a projected reduction in construction costs, not a confirmed cut in house prices. [1]

The party also proposes replacing section 106 agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy, which help fund local projects, with a single charge on developers. It argues this would reduce delays and improve how the money is spent. It wants to abolish Natural England and the Environment Agency and transfer their functions to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. [1]

Griffith is expected to back a third runway at Heathrow. The Conservatives would also scrap a scheme requiring firms to cover the costs of collecting, recycling and disposing of packaging waste. The party believes that could help lower the cost of a weekly shop. [1]